by Jeff Olson, Special for USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Olson, Special for USA TODAY Sports

IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand didn't expect to get mugged while walking his dog Monday night, but he also didn't expect the mugger to run away just because Hildebrand told him to.

While walking his dog, Indie, and watching the latest "Uncle Drew" video on his phone Monday in a quiet neighborhood six blocks from Butler University in Indianapolis, Hildebrand was approached by a man in a hooded sweatshirt.

"He said 'drop it' or 'give it to me' or something like that," Hildebrand told USA TODAY Sports by phone Tuesday. "I turned around and he was like 10 feet away from me. I didn't understand what he was talking about. It took me awhile to register that he wanted my phone."

At that point, Hildebrand realized the man was holding something and pointing it like a pistol, but when it made a clicking sound, Hildebrand determined that it wasn't a real weapon.

"I just told him to get out of here," he said. "I felt sort of silly later for not taking it seriously. ... By the time I realized what was going on, I figured I had a reasonable chance of hanging on to my phone. He just said (expletive) and ran away."

Hildebrand called 911. Indianapolis police arrived quickly, took his statement and searched the area, but didn't find anyone. Police warned him about the dangers of using a phone after dark.

"If there's a lesson in this, it's to not use a smart phone or cell phone outside after dark," he said. "I was told there's a huge market for people trying to steal them."

When Hildebrand returned home, he tweeted about his experience.

"Just had the delightful experience of a guy trying to rob me w/ a fake gun while walking my dog," he wrote. "He didn't, @IMPD_News quick to the call."

Hildebrand said he didn't contemplate the entire situation until later. He said it happened too quickly to do anything other than respond as he did.

"Afterward I felt stupid for not taking it more seriously from the start," he said. "I wasn't trying to make a statement. ... If he had taken a couple of steps at me, I would have tossed my phone at him. I wasn't trying to make a big stand. He just never really confronted me. There wasn't any body language that would make me think he was a threat."

Hildebrand was inundated with congratulatory tweets complimenting him on his bravery in both serious and humourous ways. He responded by offering thanks and saying the incident "really wasn't a huge deal. Guy never got within 10 feet or so & clearly wasn't committed. #getouttaheredude"

Hildebrand, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year, ran only two IndyCar races in the second half of the season after Panther Racing released him from his contract at the end of May after five races this year. He finished 11th at the IndyCar season finale at Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 19.

It's not the first time Hildebrand has been the victim of crime. During a Formula Drift event in July in Seattle, thieves stole his helmet, racing suit, two laptops and several cameras from a parked car.

"We had all of our stuff stolen out of the car," Hildebrand said. "This was a little different. I was totally caught off guard."

So, too, was Indie, his 25-pound mixed breed dog.

"He didn't make a move," Hildebrand said. "I'm not sure that's a good sign."